Apparatus for applying plastic coatings



July 4, l944.-- j B. WILLS rmumus FOR APPLYING PLASTIC commas Filed Sept. 9, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 F'IGJ.

July 4, 1944. B. WILLS APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PLASTIC COATINGS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 9. 1942 July 4,1944. B. WILLS 2,352,749

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PLASTIC COATINGS ATTORNEY.

July 4, 1944. .B, WILLS APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PLASTIC COATINGS 4 Shee ts-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 9, 1942 rotarybrushesinelevotion.

filten ted 4,, 1944 more!) amt-.5 PATENT OFFICE,

APPARATUS non APPLYING PLASTIC OOAHNGS urn-mm Iohtl'lpeCo-pany allfinortohit NJsaclr sum September a, 1342; Serial No. 451.114 is Claims; cm. 91-44) 1 This invention relates to apparatus for 8D- plyingacoetingtoasurioceandmoreperticw lzrly for impelling concrete or other plastic materinl such asmortar or cement.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide an apparatus whereby concrete 'or' mortar may be projected in a continuous stream of unvarying cross-section.

Fix. 3isasectiououlineHofFl 1whlchis taken through the conyeyins' commit and rotary impellinz elements.

Fig.4,isasectlononlineH of Fig. 3.

i 5 is alondihmlnal'secflonthrough the worms by which plastic is advanced.

F'iz. 6 is; horizontal section on linei-i of Fig. 2 showing the'heerings, supports end housing for a rotary brush.

The appentusshownin thedrowinzs utilizesa pair of cylindrical brushes for impelling concrete or other plastic material at a relatively high speed. These brushes areso that their cylindrical suriaces receiv concrete at one side or a locus between the brushes, and project the material from the other side oi the locus In accomplishing this the brushes are so mounted that their cylindrical'surfaces at the locus move in the same direction and at the same speed.

dThe locus may be generally identified as being located at the point of tangency between the o7- terinlthroughaconduitinwhichapluralityof:

wormsareprovided whichnrelndepmdently carried upon nesting tubes of hollow shafts whose beerlngsa remountedexteriorlyottheconducting conduihandwithwhichdcvicesmaybem ided for feeding fluids to the plastic 4 material being conveyed through the conduit.

Another obiectot the inventionistopmvide a coating apparatus having provision for controlling themovement oftheapperatmopposit amriace which is to be coatedand inwhichthe'same provision controls the flow of plastic material beingimpell'edfmmtheapparatus.

Further and other objectsor the praent inventim-willbeset forthinthe speci flcaflmandclnimsanddemonstratedbythe dra'lnsswhlchshow bywayotillul'trationa preterredembodimentandtheprincipleoithe inventiornandwhatisnowconsideredthebeot mode for applying that principle. Other emlindricol surfoce of the hrushesor midway between the points of closest approach of these ourfaces to'eachother; dependingu q the adjustment of the brushes for particularconditions of operation. The surfaces of the brushes in the immediate vicinity of the locus and opposite the plastic material odvmcing on the brushes constitute a-moving discharge throat which is adjustable for varying In order to obtain a substantially constant strea noi material iromsuchm piiaratusitis neceesarytoprovldeaconstontflowoimaterisl to the discharge throat formed by the brushes. A constantly rotating worm be employed for providing a continuous now or material to the brushes, but I have discovered that under certain conditions of operation, though such a wor'm or feeding device is-operatinz under normal conditions, there develops a tendency to cause pulsations which affect the unlt w oi the streorn of 4 plastic from the brushes bodhnentsoitheinvenflonemploylngthelame principle are contemplated within the spirit of theappendedclnhnsandwithoutdepartingtrom Inthedrnwlngs:

l 'lgurelisaplanoithegenerslaaunblyofsn apparainsemployingtheinvenflon.

fig.2isaoection0nline22ofl"ig.1,showingporticularlythemountingand drlveforthe consequently'the tlilcknea'o't theloyer of m terial formed on a. lurface. "rm; undew re mention-advancin worm and discharge fhroetionned by the brushes. but'whateir h .I h e by h P s 1 ventloo succeeded n pulsations in the fl wo cou'oreteondtho e yoroduoedsunitorm m f material from the brushes.

Inasmuch as the present apparatus is designed roupplym -amungmthemmoraoiner haveshownthesemeasbeingmoimtedupone travelling carriage oomllrislni o rectanemsr the depth otthestresm pro-- .j dbythebnnmsr pairofaxlesflandfloandwheelsattheendsoi theaxles. 'lhepiasticmaterialconveyingdevice orconduit llismoimtedimonapairofsu'ingers :6, l6 whicharecarrledbytherectangiuarframe The plastic materialconveying device includes an enclosed passageway or conduit having a tapered poi-hon l1 and a cylindrical portion i3 10 which is detachably secured to the tapered portion by means of bolts II which pass through iiangesextendingfromthetaperedandcylindrical portions, respectively. The tapered portionof the conduit is supported upon stringers i6 and by brackets or plates 26, 2i and 22, with plate 22 forming an end wall or the conduit at its open or receiving end. The receiving end of the conduit has mounted thereon a hopper 23 by "which material is introduced to the conduit.

The discharge end of the conduit is afllxed to a supporting plate or bracket 26 and this bracket is anchored in place upon the stringers l6 and 16 by means of bolts 26. -It will be seen from this construction that the cylindrical portion of the conduit can be removed from the remainder of the apparatus by removing bolts 16 and 26.

The discharge end of the conduit has a housing mounted thereon which includes two curved plates 23 and 29 that partly surround the peripheries of the rotating impelling elements or brushes 36, 3|. The end portions of the curved plates 23 and 26 at the point-of ingress of plastic material between the brushes are cut away to leave an opening with parallel upper and lower a edges. This opening coincides with the restricted cross-sectional area of the conveying conduit adjacent the rotary brushes (Figs. 3 and 4). The housing also includes a cheek plate 32, Fig. 1,

.36 and 31 and the two standards 66, 46a, andall of the elements carried by said box-frame, may be shifted laterally from the conveying conduit ll by movement of the small supporting carriage along its tracks. By moving the said boxframe to the left, Figs. 1 and 6. check plate 36 'mayberemovedfromthehousinginthesame operation that the impelling brushes are withdrawn from therein.

firebox-frame, of which the triangular-shaped plates 36 and 31 constitute the supporting elements, serves to support a pair of guide frames ll, 63 by which the bearings for the brush-carrying shafts are supported and guided for movement towards and away from each other. A horizontal section through these frames is shown inFig.6andoneoftheframesisshowninelevation in Fig. 2. The two frames are alike. The vertical members of each of them include rails 66, 66a. for guiding the bearings 6|, 6la in vertical movement. The bearings 6| at one end of the upper brush-carrying shaft 62 are suspended from a cross-piece 63 at the upper end of the frame in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2. A lower cross-piece 54 supports the bearings Bid at one end of lower brush-carrying shaft 56.

Each of the upper and lower cross-pieces of each frame has an adjusting screw 66, 61 threaded through a tapped hole and each adjusting screw has a mushroom head 63, 63a which engages a shoulder in each of the respective upper and lower bearings. By adjusting the vertical positions of the adjusting screws the brush-carrying shafts 52 and '56 may be moved towards or away from each other for the purpose of atw ic faces a d covers e side of the rotary m This adjustment is provided in order is make trally and contribute to secure the curved plates 5 26 and 23 to the sleeve.

The side of the housing opposite from cheek plate 32is covered by another cheek plate 35, Figs. 1 and 6. This latter cheek plate is removable from the housing along with the rotary 5o brushes upon movement of a carriage or truck 21 for cleaning purposes.

Cheek plate 35 is supported from one of a pair of vertically-disposed triangular-shaped plates 36, 31 by two pairs of brackets, one pair of which, 38, 39, is shown in Fig. 6. 'Another pair of similar brackets (not shown) flank the lower brushcarrying shaft and.are bolted in a similar manner to the triangular-shaped plate 31, and to the lower portion of cheek plate 35.

The triangular-shaped plates 36 and 31 are connected together by a pair of standards 46, 40a, and together therewith form a rigid box-like frame. This frame is carried by a carriage 21 (Figs. 1 and 2) by which the triangular-shaped plates 36 and 31 are supported. The triangularshaped plates are secured to angle bars li,.6la which are in turn secured to a pair of channel members 42, 42a, which constitute the side members of the supporting carriage 21. riage is provided with pairs of rollers 63 and M which rest on I-beams'65, 45a constituting tracks along which the carriage can be traversed when desired. The I-beams 46, 66a are carried by supporting beams 66 and 41 on the main. carriage it. re

This car- 70 correction for the wear of the brushes and also for adjusting the apparatus to deliver diflerent mortars or concrete under the most eillcient operating conditions. For a mortar mix of lzl /z, satisfactory results have been obtained with the peripheries of the brushes tangentially contacting. But for mortars containing coarse aggregate it is desirable to provide space between the peripheries of the brushes at their points of closest approach.

- The brushes are driven by a motor 59 tlfrough a sprocket and chain connection 60. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the chain is trained over sprockets 6i and 62 in such a manner as to cause the shafts 52 and 65 to rotate in oppositedirections. This is accomplished by means of an idler 63. This idler is carried by a pair of bearing blocks 64, 64a which have elongated slots for permitting adjustment of position of the idler laterally of the motor, whereby the correct tension in the chain may be obtained. The bases of the bearings for .idler 63 are secured to bearing blocks 64, 66a by means of bolts with nuts 65 at their upper ends. The bearing blocks are mounted on angle irons 66, 6611 which are secured to the lower ends of standards 40, 40a. Idler sprocket 61 is carried by carriage 21 and serves to clear sprocket chain of track 65.

The conduit M through which plastic material is advanced towards the impeiling brushes is provided with material-advancing mechanism comprising a worm 68 which is carried by a tubu-' and the portion of the worm within the cylindrical conduit I8 is of uniform outside diameter. The worm-carrying member 69 is supported exteriorly of the conveying conduit M by means of a fixed bearing 10. Intermediate this bearing and the conduit l4 there is provided a flange unit II which engages the partition 22 at the feed end of the conduit.

Tubular member 69 contains a shaft 12 which has mounted upon its free end a hub 13 (Figs. 3 and 5) which carries one or more worms 14. The hub and associated worms are pinned to the shaft 12 and are rotated thereby. Shaft 12 is spaced from tube element 69, corresponding to the thickness of a bearing sleeve 15. This sleeve is secured to the shaft 12 and a packing element 16 is provided for sealing the joint between the hub 13 and the tubular element 69.

One end of the shaft 12 is supported in a bearing 18 which is carried by a short beam 19. This beam rests on stringers l5 and IS on frame l9 (Figs. 1 and 3). It will be seen from the foregoing that tubular member 69 and shaft 72 are supported in cantilever fashion from points outside of the conduit l4 by means of bearings 13 and 16, respectively. The free ends of tubular member 69 and shaft 12 float freely within the conduit as these shafts are operating to advance plastic material through the conduit.

So far as the use of the invention thus far described is concerned, shaft 12 may be either solid or hollow, but preferably the shaft is provided with a bore providing a passageway 80 throughout its length by which water may be introduced into the concrete or other plastic material approaching the brushes for increasing the fluidity of the concrete, as desired. The hub 13 has a number of drilled holes BI through which water can be delivered. When desired, fluid material for either increasing or retarding the set of mortal can be introduced to the mortar by the same means. Inasmuch as shaft 12 is rotated during the operation of the apparatus, the hose connection for conveying fluid to its interior is connected to a swivel elbow 62 secured to the end of the hollow shaft. Suitable passageways are provided for the lubrication of the bearings for the tube 69 and the hollow shaft 12 and the annular space 83 between the two can be kept filled with oil.

Hollow shaft I2 is intended to be operated at a speed different from that of tube 69. The function of the worms 14 which are driven by the hollow shaft 12 is to boost the pressure of the concrete within conduit l8 and immediately rearward of the discharge point of the conduit. By rotating the worms 14 at such a speed as will maintain a substantially constant pressure on the material entering the discharge throat between the rotary brushes, uniformity of discharge from the brushes can be maintained. The-character of the stream impelled by the brushes can be readily detected either by acoustical or visual observation of any manifestation of vibration. In the event of any irregularity ln the stream due to pulsating flow within conduit l8, correctional measures may be taken by varying the speed of rotation of worms 14 until the pulsations cease. In most cases increase in speed of worms I4 relative to worm 68 will remedy the irregularity.

I have further discovered that improved operation can be had by restricting the crosssectional area of the conveying conduit in the vicinity of the rotary brushes. For aceomplish ing this I have provided two wedge-shaped members 85, 86 whose outer surfaces conform to the rounded interior of the conduit and whose inner surfaces are ramp-like and vary from a feathered edge 81 to the thickened portion 88 immediately adjacent curved plates 28 and 29. The effects of a nozzle are thereby produced. The interior surface 89 of each of these members is generated by a straight line parallel to the axis of the brushes to provide an efficient flow surface. The opposite flow surfaces are parallel in diametrical planes as shown in Fig. 4. I have found it convenient to make these wedge-shaped members as castings and bolt them to the conduit.

The brushes 30, 3! are preferably provided with steel bristles or other tough metallic bristles, but tough fibre or other equivalent material could be used. The ends of the bristles terminate in a cylindrical surface, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6. One effect of the ramp-like members 85, 86 is to present a ribbon of plastic material to the brushes and also to lessen the areas of the portion of the peripheries against which the plastic material is forced. Improved operating efficiency of the brushes is attained with their use.

The material-advancing worms 68 and 14 are preferably driven from a single motor. This motor 90 is carried on frame I0, together with other driving connections intermediate the motor and the worms. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, tube 69 has a sprocket wheel 9| mounted thereon which is driven by a chain 92 engaging the output sprocket of a speed reduction mechanism 93. This speed reduction mechanism is directly driven from motor 90.

The outboard end of hollow shaft 12 has keyed thereto a sprocket wheel 94 whereby the hollow shaft is rotated. The drive for this sprocket wheel is from motor 90, chain 95, input sprocket wheel 96 to a Reeves variable speed mechanism 91, output sprocket wheel 98, chain 99, countershaft I00, and chain lfll. From this driving mechanism it is clear that the speed of rotation of the shaft 12 and worms 14 can be varied at will independently of any given speed for tube 69 and worm 68.

The entire apparatus is designed for traverse along the wall of a pipe which is generally illustrated at I03. As thus far described, any usual form of power mechanism may be employed for moving the apparatus along its tracks H and I2, but inasmuch as the apparatus is particularly suitable for applying a coating of mortar or other plastic material to the wall of a pipe, it is important that the rate of application of the plastic material be carefully controlled. To accomplish that the travel of carriage III on tracks H and I2 is caused by means of the same motor 90 which provides power for feeding the plastic material to the brushes. A sprocket chain 104 passes over a sprocket wheel 105 which is keyed to and turns with sprocket wheel 96 which derives its drive from the motor. Sprocket chain I94 drives the input wheel I06 of a variable speed drive. The output gear of the variable speed drive engages a sprocket chain I01 which drives a sprocket wheel I08 carried by countershaft I99. This countershaft is mounted in bearings supported upon the carriage H]. A chain l I I receives the drive from the countershaft and engages a sprocket gear H2 carried by one of the carriage axles l3, Fig. 3.

In the operation of the apparatus, the conveying conduit is maintained full by an attendant who can easily gauge the quantity of plastic material required by observing and maintaining a boiling back" of the plastic material through the space above the primary worm as at H2. When this condition of feed exists the worm is advancing its full capacity at the prevailing speed of rotation. In applying concrete or other plastic material, the two worms and the rotary brushes are placed in operation and the speed of rotation of the booster worms 14 is adjusted in order to eliminate any pulsating effect which might develop, as heretofore described. The quantity of plastic material being applied to a pipe surface is controlled primarily by the feed ng effect of Worm 6B, which is kept loaded.

It is to be understood that apparatus is provided for rotatively supporting the core of the pipe. As the pipe is being rotated. the carriage upon which the apparatus s mounted is driven alongside the pipe on tracks I I and I2. The combined effect of these operations is to apply a coating of uniform thickness to the exterior of the pipe by a stream of coating material which is laid in a helical path. The thickness of the coating may be increased by several passes of the coating apparatus alongside the IOttitilg pipe.

At the conclusion of a day's work it is important that plastic material be cleaned from all of the mechanism. For obtain ng access to the brushes, the brush supporting structure and the brush driving mechanism may be moved away from the conveying conduit M as a unit by moving carriage 21. This operation removes cheek plate 35 from the housing and withdraws the rotary brushes from with n the housing so that the housing and brushes can be easily cleaned.

While the brushes are so withdrawn, the conduit l4 may be disassembled for cleaning purposes and to provide easy access to the worms 68 and I4. For this purpose cylindrical portion it of conduit I4 is detached from the tapered portion H by the removal of bolts l9, and by the removal of bolts 26 wh ch secure the supporting bracket 25 to the stringers l and It. When removed, the cylindrical portion of the conduit l8 can be easily cleaned. The free ends of the worms B8 and 14 are then readily accessible.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating. the combination compr'sing a conduit for conveying plastic material, a pair of rotary impelling elements mounted at the discharge end of said conduit for receiving plastic material from said conduit and for discharging said material from therebetween, a worm for advancing plastic material through said conduit and towards said rotary impelling elements, a second worm in said conduit between said first worm and said rotary impelling elements, sa d second worm being located to receive plastic material from said first worm and to direct it against said rotary impelling elements, means to actuate said first worm, means whereby said second worm may be actuated at a speed different from the speed of said first worm. and means to actuate said rotary impelling elements to effect discharge of plastic material from said conduit.

2. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit for conveyin plast c material, a pair of rotary impelling elements mounted at the discharge on! of said conduit for receiving plastic material from said conduit and for discharging the same from therebetween. a worm for advancing plastic ma.- terial through said conduit in the direction of said rotary impelling elements, said worm being hollow through its center, a shaft nested within said worm, a second worm mounted on said shaft and located between said first worm and said rotary impelling elements, means to actuate said first worm, means whereby sa d second worm may be actuated at a speed different from the speed of said first worm, and means to actuate said rotary impelling elements to efiect discharge of plastic material from said conduit.

3. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit for conveying plastic material, a pair of rotary impelling elements mounted at the discharge end of said conduit for receiving plastic material therefrom, means for driving said rotary impelling elements to effect discharge of plastic materlal from therebetween, a worm for advancing plastic material through said conduit in the direction of said rotary impelling elements, said worm being hollow through its center, a shaft nested within said worm, a second worm coaxial with said first named worm and mounted on said shaft, said second worm being located to receive plast c material from said first worm and to direct it against said rotary impelling elements, means to actuate said first worm and said second worm, and means for controlling relative speeds of said worms.

4. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit for conveying plastic material, a pair of rotary impelling elements mounted at the discharge end of said conduit for receiving plastic material therefrom, means within said conduit for advancing material therethrough, said means including a worm, actuating means for driving said plastic material advancing means at a given speed, another worm within said conduit and located between said first mentioned means and said rotary impelling elements, actuating means for driving said other worm at such speed as to maintain a substantially constant pressure head on the plastic material being del vered thereby to said rotary impelling elements to effect elimination of pulsating flow of plastic material to said rotary impelling elements. and means for actuating said rotary impelling elements.

5. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit for conveying plastic material, a pair of rotary impelling elements mounted at the discharge end of said conduit for receiving plastic material therefrom, each of said rotary impelling elements having a cylindrical material-engaging surface, worm means within said conduit for advancing material, actuating means for driving said worm means, means in said conduit intermediate said worm means and said rotary impelling elements for reducing the area of the cross-section of said conduit at its point of closest approach to the cylindrical surfaces of said rotary impelling elements whereby back pressure is built up on the plastic material being advanced to said rotary impelling elements, actuating means for driving said worm means at such speed as to maintain a substantially constant pressure head on the plastic material being delivered thereby and through said restrictive cross section to said rotary impelling elements, and means for actuat'ng said rotary impelling elements.

6. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit for conveying plastic material, a pair of rotary impelling elements mounted at the discharge end of said conduit for receiving plastic material therefrom, means within said conduit for advancing material therethrough, said means including a worm, actuating means for driving said plastic material advancing means at a given speed, pressure boostin means within said conduit and located between said first mentioned means and said rotary impelling elements, means in said conduit intermediate said pressure boosting means and said rotary impelling elements for reducing the area of the cross-section of said conduit at its point of closest approach to the surfaces of said rotary impell ng elements, actuating means for driving said pressure boosting means at such a speed as to maintain a sub stantially constant pressure head on the plastic material being delivered thereby to said rotary impell ng elements to eifect elimination of pulsating flow of plastic material to said rotary impelling elements, and means for actuating said rotary impelling elements.

7. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit for conveying plastic material, a pair of rotary impelling elements located at the discharge end of said conduit for receiving plastic material therefrom, each of said rotary impelling elements having a cylindrical material-engaging surface, means for actuating said rotary impelling ele ments for impelling plastic material from therebetween, a worm for advancing plastic material through said conduit and in the direction of said rotary impelling elements, said worm comprising a tube, means for supporting said worm exteriorly of said conduit, a second worm within said conduit and located between said first worm and said rotary impelling elements, said second worm being carried by a shaft extending through said first mentioned tube, means for supportin said shaft exteriorly of said conduit, and means for driving said first mentioned worm, and means whereby said second-mentioned worm may be driven at a speed different from the speed of said first-mentioned worm.

8. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit for conveying plastic material, a pair of rotary impelling elements located at the discharge end of said conduit for receiving plastic material therefrom, means for actuating said rotary impelling elements, a worm for advancing plastic material through said conduit and in the direction of said rotary impelling elements, said worm being hollow through its center, means for supporting said worm exteriorly of said conduit, :1 second worm within said conduit and located between said first worm and said rotary impelling elements, said second worm being carried by a shaft extending through the center hollow of said first mentioned worm, said shaft being hollow and having openings at its free end, means having connection with said hollow shaft for introducing fluid material therein for delivery to and proiection from said openings, means for supporting said shaft exteriorly of said conduit, and means for driving said first mentioned worm and said hollow shaft.

9. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit for conveying plastic material, a pair of rotary impelling elements located at the discharge end of said conduit for receiving plastic material therefrom, a worm for advancing plastic material through said conduit in the direction of said rotary impelling elements, said worm comprising a tube, bearing Ill) means for said tube and worm, a second worm within said conduit and located between said first worm and said rotary impelling elements, said second worm being carried by a shaft extending through said first mentioned tube, said shaft being hollow and having openings at its free end, means having connection with said hollow shaft for introducing fluid material therein for delivery to and projection from said openings, bearing means for said shaft, means for driving said first and second mentioned worm, and means for adjusting the relative speeds of said first and second worms.

10. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit for conveying plastic material, a pair of rotary impelling elements mounted at the discharge end of said conduit for receiving plastic material therefrom, a housing associated with the discharge end of said conduit and partially enclosing said rotary impelling elements, means supporting said rotary impelling elements independently of said housing and conduit, said means being movably mounted for enabling displacement of said rotary impelling elements from within said housing, worm means within said conduit for advancing plastic material through said conduit and toward said rotary impelling elements, means for supporting said worm means at a point outside of said conduit, and detachable means for enabling separation of a portion of said conduit from the remainder of said conduit to expose said worm means for cleaning purposes.

11. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a pair of rotary brushes for impelling plastic material from therebetween, means for actuating said impelling brushes, a conduit in which plastic material is conveyed to said impelling brushes, a housing at the discharge end of said conduit for partially enclosing said rotary brushes, said housing having a plate detachable therefrom on the side of said housing at which said actuating means is located, and means for mounting said rotary impelling brushes and plate to enable the withdrawal of said impelling brushes from within said housing.

12. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a pair of rotary brushes for impelling plastic material from therebetween, means for rotating said impelling brushes, a carriage upon whichsaid brushes and said means for rotating the same are mounted, a housing partially enclosing said brushes, means for feeding plastic material to said brushes, means supporting said feeding means and housing in a fixed position relative to said carriage, and detachable means cooperating with said housing and said carriage for holding said brushes within said housing and whereby detachment may be effected for enabling separation of said brushes from said housing.

13. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a pair of rotary brushes for impelling plastic material, a conduit for conveying plastic material to said rotary brushes, a housing for receiving plastic material from said conduit and for partially enclosing said brushes, movable means for supporting said brushes, said means being removable from association with said housing for enabling said brushes to be removed therefrom, and means for rotating said brushes.

14. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a pair of rotary brushes for impelling plastic material, a conduit for conveying plastic material to said rotary brushes, a housing for receiving plastic material from said conduit and for partially enclosing said impelling elements, a carriage, means for mounting said rotary brushes on said carriage, means for securing said mounting means to said housing and conduit, said securing means being detachable for enabling said brushes to be moved with said carriage for removal from association with said housing and conduit, and means for rotating said rotary brushes for distributing plastic material received from said conduit.

15. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit, said conduit having a circular cross-section, a pair of cylindrical brushes at the discharge end of said conduit, said brushes having a width greater than the diameter of said conduit and presenting portions of their peripheries to the discharge end of said conduit, means at the discharge end of said conduit for restricting its cross-section opposite the peripheries of said brushes to form an area of discharge of less height than the diameter of said conduit, and means for advancing plastic material through said conduit and restricted discharge area into contact with the uncovered portions of said brushes.

16. In apparatus for applying a plastic coating, the combination comprising a conduit having a circular cross-section, a pair oi. cylindrical brushes mounted opposite each other with each brush equally covering the discharge end of said conduit, means at the discharge and of said conduit for providing a reduced discharge opening for said conduit, said means comprising a pair of oppositely placed elements, each element having a varying cross-section and a surface generated by a line parallel to the axes of said cylindrical brushes with the points of closest approach of the generated surfaces to each other being towards the discharge end of said conduit whereby the plastic material passing therealong is directed inwards from the wall of said conduit, and means for advancing plastic material through said conduit and to the uncovered portions of the peripheries of said brushes.

BARTON WILLS. 

